The Fantasy Fullback Dive | Fantasy Football Podcast

Just like the real game, fantasy football is truly a game of inches. From that crucial waiver wire pick-up, to the right draft-day selection in Round 9, fantasy titles are won with those hard-nosed, unsung, fullback-esque moves. That’s where the astutely researched, undeniably bold, and unfathomably genius opinions of our very-own Wolf and Truth come in. Gritty. Dirty. Always pushing the pile. Gain that crucial yard with the Fantasy Fullback Dive.

Though we don’t recommend drafting until after Preseason Week 3, we fully understand plenty of psychos are already full-steam ahead. This includes our own Truth, and we begin Episode 30 by looking at his Keeper League Draft.

Though we preach “Building a Stable of Horses” as our favorite approach to 2018 drafts, The Truth found himself in a pickle after keepingDeAndre HopkinsandRob Gronkowski.Find out how an unintentional “Zero-RB” Draft unfolded, and a new “Stock Tip” that emerged from our conversation:The 50% Rule. This is a crucial mindset and way of framing fantasy, so don’t miss this strategy-filled conversation.

But this is just the warm-up. Our Featured segment centers around breaking down Preseason Week 2: Risers, Fallers, and Sleepers. Perhaps more than any other Preseason, we’ve seen some massive fantasy value changes in 2018. This is especially true forChristian McCaffrey, Jimmy Graham, Trey Burton, Carlos Hyde,and so many more risers after Week 2, as well as fallers likeRonald JonesandSammy Watkins. We touch upon some keyPenny Stocksas well, in particular highlightingJames Whiteand why he offers enormous upside at his bottom-barrel price.

As always, we also continue two recurring segments:The Stock Watchand Tier Jerkers. On a shorter Stock Watch, we cover:

--Adrian Peterson’s potential value with the Redskins

--Peyton Barber’s strengthening grip on the Bucs’ starting RB role

--Ben Watsonand his “Under Armour Mannequin” physique

Plus, in Tier Jerkers, our own Roto Joe is back, this time to break down 2018’s Tight End scene. While we recognizeRob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce,andZach Ertzall form a vaunted “Big Three,” there’s still plenty of midround TE1 candidates that could explode and join this bunch. Thus, to help you make the right decision if you miss on the elite, Wolf and Joe run through the ceilings and floors, as well as their rankings, ofEvan Engram, Jimmy Graham, Delanie Walker, Greg Olsen, Kyle Rudolph,and *gasp* newly-addedTrey Burton.

We wrap up with a packed mailbag, covering our strategy with D/ST, a brutal keeper decision involvingDoug BaldwinandZach Ertz,our reevaluated Rookie RB rankings, and a keeper choice that sheds light on going for a sure-thing at lesser value (Fournette in Round 3), or the potential homerun with enormous value upside. (Collins in 14).

This Episode is completely jam-packed, and a necessity for any Fantasy Football Fan preparing for their 2018 Draft.

Fresh off debuting his new cutting-edge Fantasy Football siteThe Quantedge,industry legendEliot Crist(@EliotCrist) brings his game-changing analytics and keen film eye to The Wolf’s Den for some hard-hitting rankings analysis.

Crist and The Wolf first share some agreements on some bolder rankings, beginning withJarvis Landryand why he’s among the best bargains in Fantasy Football. The pair then breaks down the targets he left behind in Miami, and howKenny Stillsis being completely overlooked as the likely new No.1 target on a team that’ll need to take to the air early and often. Last, they look atMitch Trubisky’s upside inMatt Nagy’s offense, and detail why he is the ideal late-round QB2 candidate.

But then the gloves come on, and it’s time to duke it out. The Wolf feels Crist is too high onKerryon Johnson, and Crist brings some big counter punches as to why this isn’t the case. The pair then look atJay Ajayi, who The Wolf expects a massive rebound and high workshare from, but Crist isn’t buying it. Lastly, Crist explains whyJimmy Grahamis overrated by The Wolf, while our host goes in-depth for why theAaron Rodgers -Graham connection has more upside than most are recognizing right now.

This fire interview then wraps up with one of our strongest “No Huddle Offense” segments yet. From who belongs No.1 in drafts, to the most undervalued and overvalued at each position, to early-round season ruiners and late round “Penny Stocks,” we cover all stages of the draft with Crist’s bold but well-reasoned takes. In the process, we get aRob Gronkowskirant that may just sway you to take him in Round 1 in every league.

Simply put, the Wolf’s Den was blazing with fire takes, and you can’t miss them… unless you enjoy sheepish 6th place finishes.

As a consistent points factory under Sean Payton and Drew Brees, the Saints are always among the NFL’s most fantasy relevant team each year. In fact, the Saints have finished within the Top-10 in Total Points in 9 of 11 total seasons with these two, including 6 finishes in the Top 5. As such, we go right to the source to breakdown this crucial offense by welcoming on The New Orleans Advocate’s Nick Underhill.

First, we dive into Mark Ingram’s 4-game suspension for PEDs, and the massive fantasy implications this could have on him and the rest of the roster. Find out how rookie sensation Alvin Kamara could be impacted, as well as who could fill the “Big Back” role over the four-game absence (and why this is so crucial to know).

Plus, after ranking in the Top.7 in Passing Play Percentage for seven straight years, the Saints fell all the way to 20th in 2017 behind a high-powered running game. Underhill breaks down why this switch happened, and if we should expect more of the same in 2018. On the passing game front, Underhill breaks down:

--How Michael Thomas looks even more dominant in camp but could still regress statistically. --New weapon Cam Meredith’s fit and upside in this attack… if he could just get healthy --Why Ben Watson remains a fantastic fantasy TE even at 37 years old --How explosive rookie WR Tre’Quan Smith is looking in camp, and the type of ability he brings to this overall attack

Plus, Underhill lays out his predictions for the Saints 2018 season, as well as how the NFC South will play out. Few beat writers are more in-tune or accurate than Underhill, and this is a true must-listen for Fantasy and Saints fans alike.

As promised, we stay in-division for Round 2 of “On The Fantasy Beat,” this time looking at the Giants revamped offense underPat Shurmur,and how the many exciting pieces (Odell Beckham, Saquon Barkley, Evan EngramandSterling Shepard)all fit in. To do so, we welcome in Giants Insider and PFF analystDan Schneier,who’s impressive resume includes Giants coverage for 247Sports and CBS Sports, as well as fantasy for Pro Football Focus, and his own Giants Podcast, “Big Blue Banter.”

Before diving into specific players and their expected roles, Schneir gives us an excellent breakdown of Shurmur’s overall offense. Learn why it’s being compared to “musical chairs,” and how this offense will create mismatch nightmares if executed properly. Then, we dive into the big names. How’sOdell Beckhamlooking post surgery, and fitting into this overall scheme? What’s rookieSaquon Barkleybringing to the table, and will he be the next great “Shurmur Bellcow?” IsEvan Engramset for an even more impressive sophomore campaign after his major rookie splash, and what different ways is Shurmur using him? Plus, shouldSterling Shepardbe as far under the radar as he is, and canEli Manningsustain all these fantasy products?

Then, Schneier shares his NFC East Predictions, before bringing his PFF Fantasy Background to our “No Huddle Fantasy Offense.” Here, it’s clear Schneier is equally versed in the virtual gridiron as he is with the Giants, as he powers through question after question with in-depth analysis and hot takes on potential season winners, losers, and major sleepers. This podcast is must listen material for all Giants and fantasy football fans alike, so don’t miss out!

We are thrilled to debut our “On The Fantasy Beat” series tonight, where we go straight to the source for all your most pressing fantasy questions. This year we’ll be pairing guest beats by division to get different perspectives on their biggest rivals as well, and we start in the NFC East and the Cowboys. With a completely overhauled offense, Dallas will bring a whole new fantasy look to the table. To try and make sense of it, and find the most valuable fantasy nuggets,The WolfandTruthwelcome the returningRJ Ochoa.RJ covers all things Dallas Cowboys for@BloggingTheBoys, hosts the excellent Cowboys Pod @OchoLive, and Co-hostsThe Saturday Morning Hangover on ESPN San Antonio.

WithDez BryantandJason Wittengone, 272 targets (56%) and 2,645 air yards (68.8%) have been opened up. But before we dive into the new faces and how that might be filled, we first look at the let’s engine of this offense --Ezekiel Elliott. Will his role expand, and his underrated pass-catching flourish, with so much air volume up for grabs?

We then turn our attention to the pass-catching corps, discussing rookie WRMichael Gallup’s impressive play and the type of role he’s carving out, whetherTavon Austinis really a thing, and if any Target Hogs seem likely to emerge between these two andAllen Hurns. Plus, with lots of buzz surroundingBlake Jarwin, we dive into his potential Penny Stock TE upside, and then figure out if there’s any hope forDak Prescottwith such a mismatch receiving corps.

We then get RJ’s Prediction of how the NFC East will unfold, before firing him through our Fantasy No Huddle Offense, considering he’s a big time player himself. Don’t miss his RJ’s insider Cowboys takes and excellent fantasy lens in this excellent “On The Fantasy Beat” Debut.

The fantasy football season is hurtling towards us like Eddie Lacy towards a free buffet of crab rangoon, with Preseason Week 1 officially in the books. Anyone who says, “The Preseason doesn’t matter!” is a true sheep, as Fantasy Wolves consider all possible evidence.

From rapport building, to role development and unexpected usage, to overall team performances and glimpses at new schemes, plenty of important trends emerge that cannot be ignored. The Wolf and Truth read you all the headlines from ourPreseason Week 1 Risers, Fallers, and Penny Stocks Recap,before diving in for a few more in depth to preview the piece. And yes, we talk about Cam Newton and Kelvin Benjamin's pre-game confrontation (before discussing Benjamin’s sneaky Target Hog upside).

Plus, we tackle a jam packed stock watch featuring:

Alshon Jeffery’s injury and what it means for the other pass-catchers in Philadelphia

Jerick McKinnon’s injury and his stock now with Alfred Morris in San Francisco -- and what Morris himself could bring to the table

Developments in the ever-valuable Saints' backup RB story, which will make it even easier to select Mark Ingram at his steal price.

Bears Passing Game Developments -- who’s emerging as the top targets, and will Mitch Trubisky’s play allow it to matter?

John Brown’s Rising Penny Stock Value

A Saquon Barkley scare.

Plus, as has become tradition, Roto Joe is back for another round of Tier Jerkers. Here, the boys break down the 3rd Round(ish) RB scene--he and the Wolf rank McCaffrey, Collins, Henry, Ajayi, and Mixon for your drafting pleasure. Both Joe and Wolf differ vastly in their organization of this tier, so find out where and why certain players are higher or lower.

The pod is wrapped up with a couple of items from the mailbag, including what to do with your 2nd and 3rd Round Picks if drafting No.1 overall, as well as a QB question circling on Jared Goff and Deshaun Watson.

Don't miss it--subscribe on iTunes, spotify, stitcher, or wherever the hell you get your podcasts. Also check out our youtube page while you're at it, huh?

Bargains, Overprices, Penny Stocks, oh my! With our 2018 Preseason Kickoff Guide officially launched, The Wolf and Truth take a look inside the guide. (Unlike our last guest *cough* Field *cough*), we bring some bold predictions on the players who will be bring insane value at their currently discounted prices, who’ll bust at their current asking rates, and what guys go beyond 120 but could genuinely explode in 2018 -- for the record, we hit on Alvin Kamara and Marvin Jones as Penny Stocks last year.

In the process, we dig into Evan Engram and the enormous edge he can bring at his Round 5-6 price. We look at last year’s Texans offense, and why, even with some inevitable regression, this team will still be a juggernaut… and find you a way to get a very healthy piece of it in Round 8. We discuss why last year’s No.1 QB is actually heavily overrated, and how Christian McCaffrey going at 18th overall is a complete reach. Last, we visit Minnesota and New Orleans to unlock two names who could absolutely blow-up despite going beyond Pick 130.

Plus, with just a few days before Preseason Action, some major news is breaking that has major fantasy football implications. We cover:

-- Sony Michel’s knee injury, and what this means for Rex Burkhead (and why it’s not the immediate positive people might assume, despite a volume spike). --Jarvis Landry’s role in Cleveland, and how he’s an emerging Target Hog with an insane ADP. --What Corey Coleman’s new value could be in Buffalo, and how he still possesses real “Penny Stock Upside” --Plus, some rapid fire blurbs covering the Cowboy’s offensive struggles, Cordarelle Patterson, Kenyan Drake, Marlon Mack, and Mike Gesicki.

Plus, with drafts fast approaching, we debut the “Tier Jerkers” with our guy Roto Joe. Any good ranking set are made as “Tiers” -- or similarly grouped fantasy values, which helps project positional and overall drop-offs, and make an overall Big Board much easier to make and navigate. Still, whether last week’s big-name guest likes it or not, when your on the clock, you’re not picking a group, you need a player. As such, this segment covers those brutal “Tiers” of players that cause legitimate tears to be jerked out of our bodies, and the sleepless nights that come with us screaming into our pillows.

This episode, we open the series with “The Round 2 WRs” (Keenan Allen, Davante Adams, Mike Evans, and AJ Green), breaking down the ceilings and floors of each prospect, before making a final ranking of each group. Who tops both Wolf and Roto Joe’s lists, but Truth wouldn’t touch? Why is Mike Evans at the bottom of one list and ranked second on another? Are we way too down on the Bengals offense? This episode is completely loaded with invaluable insights for your draft, and the bold predictions you’ve come to love from the Fullback Dive (and may have missed last Episode). The lead-blocks are only getting better, and this is a true can’t miss.

We only welcome the boldest, most informed Wolves into our den, and we lead off our Training Camp with perhaps the most in-tune analyst of them all: ESPN’s Field Yates.

Yates opens with some breaking news around Doug Baldwin’s health and who could step up in his absence, plus Eric Decker and his potential fit with the Patriots. Then, we go into the den. First, the boys discuss some of their bolder agreements, including a shared loved for Derrius Guice, Jerick McKinnon, Marquise Goodwin, and Julian Edelman, as well as the uncommon ranking of Michael Thomas ahead of Julio Jones.

The claws then come out, as The Wolf calls out some mistakes he sees in Yates rankings. From being too low on Corey Davis, Rex Burkhead, and Tarik Cohen, to a little too high on Dak Prescott, Yates defends his rankings against some hot Wolf Takes.

Plus, the Truth and Wolf run down another jam-packed stock watch, covering:

Why Derrius Guice continues rising even further -- all the way up to The Wolf’s second round The state of the Patriots pass-catching corps with Eric Decker now here The state of the Seahawks pass-catch corps with Doug Baldwin currently gone (and where he ranks) The latest on the Colts backfield, and who we would target, and fade, from this mess Why Marquise Goodwin will be one of fantasy’s top bargains How Jordy Nelson is looking early in camp If we buy that Christian McCaffrey will see 25-30 touches (lol, no)

Between arguably our biggest guest ever, some crucial breaking news, and insane rankings insight, this episode is among our best yet. If you’re a fantasy football fan, you can’t miss it!

In anticipation for our 2018 Training Camp Kickoff Fantasy Guide, the RSJ assembled our brightest fantasy minds for our first full-staff Mock Draft of the season. Needless to say, the action was fast, furious, and, most importantly, very informative.

Roto Joe will be breaking down each and every pick in our guide, and he joins The Wolf and Truth to bring his hot takes to the pod. Find out who he and The Wolf consider the best and worst picks of each round, plus some key holistic drafting strategies, analysis on positional tiers and drop offs, and so much more. Simply put - you can't draft without hearing how ours unfolded and the lessons we learned from it.

Plus, with Training Camp now full in swing, the Stock Watch is all over the place. We look at news around Derrius Guice and Rashaad Penny, forcing us to reevaluate our original Rookie RB Rankings. We also discuss:

--Andrew Luck's early camp performance and what it means for this offense

--How Matt LaFleur's system is coming along and what pass-catchers are thriving in Tennessee

--The state of a wide-open Dolphins receiving corps, including a sneaky sleeper we feel could explode

--Why a more motivated Joe Flacco is crucial for fantasy football owners, even if you'll never draft the QB himself

Plus a rapid-fire segment covering key depth chart issues in Seattle, an emerging Penny Stock in Green Bay, some surprisingly important injury news for the New York Jets, and what Will Fuller's added bulk could mean for his durability in 2018.

Our pulverizing audio lead blocks have only gotten stronger, and we're peaking at the perfect time for fantasy owners. Be sure to listen and and Subscribe to never miss a single lead block from the Fantasy Fullback Dive.